WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9512, 7 September 1891, Page 5

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

[from oub own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 6. . u'HE BRYCE BANQUET. ‘ The banquet tendered to Mr Bryce by the party with which hia name was, till recently, identified, came off last evening, in the Joint Committee room of the House, and was attended by about thirty gentlemen, all members of the Legislature with the exception of two or three ex-members. Who were present by invitation. Baring the evening nothing was settled about the leadership, nor was any hint thrown but of any present intention on Mr Bryce’s part ‘to enter the House again. A FETE CHAMFBTBB. Mr ’and Mrs Duthie yesterday gave a very delightful party at their establishment at the Hutt. Some twenty-five members, with their wives and lady friends! attended, and after luncheon, a most pleasant afternoon was spent in the grounds. At the close of the afternoon, and just before the party broke up, the Hon W. P. Beeves, in a very graceful speech, convoyed to the host and hostess the thanks of all the guests for the opportunity of spending what had proved certainly the brightest day of the session. Adieus were then exchanged, and the party returned to town. BUSINESS. The House will go at once to the Orders of the Day to-morrow, and the following Bills will be taken up forthwith Public Trust, Municipal Corporations, School Committees, and Stamp Act Amendment. The Minister for Education is absolutely determined to push the School Committees Bill through this session, as its nob passing would entail a great deal of inconvenience and it-is a measure of the most practical character. The Estimates, the Premier informs me, will be brought down on Tuesday, and ■he Public Works Statement on the day ifter. THE SESSION. It is now believed, unless some unforeseen ievelopmants occur, that the session will 3iosa in about ton days or a fortnight. DESTRUCTIVENESS. Somo of the Opposition patty were, as foa are already aware, somewhat obstructive on Friday night, but Mr Perceval’s admirable conduct in the chair has powerally impressed members on both sides of ho House, and it is now agreed that honld be not wish to retain the position fter this session his quitting it would be distinct loss to the House. THE UPPER HOUSE. The attitude of the Lords is regarded ith considerable suspicion, bub the pvernment is determined, now that it is (trusted by the people with the destinies i the Colony, to carry its measures (rough the Legislature. Should the pper House act the part this session that i is expected they will act, the moss (termined steps will be taken to neutralise fe obstruction offered to the popular will 1 1 that Chamber. Government has been i light by recent events that it must ke more adequate representation there. ’ fa subject is spoken of a good deal in the ‘ Ibias, and various rumours are afloat. I ke heard it stated that the number of jjtlemon to be called to the Upper (amber baa been determined upon, and I Ire heard that fourteen is the number, 'is, however, I give you for what it is ’ vth, for Ministers are moot reticent, and givo no indication of their intentions * bond the general one, to which I have , nrred, to strengthen themselves in that ) Hse. Of that they speak with freedom. I i IN 3IEMOP.IAM. 5 |he mural tablet iu memory of the li Mr Turnbull, or Timara, to which I rirred yesterday, is a very handsome ? o', and was paid for oub of the balance 7 o'unds collected after his death by the imbers 0 £ both Houses of the Legialijrs. The inscription is as follows: 0 “EI.S. In memory of Richard Turnbull. 0 biJan. 17, 1826, at Oxford, England, riesented the electoral district of 1 Tkm in the House of Representatives fif July, 1878, to July, 1890, died at 0 Wing ton during hia attendance on the sjon of Parliament, 1890. This tablet hbeeu placed here .by his fellow-members otho Legislature in token of their iel'tn. ‘The memory of the just is bked.’ ”

I Peerless Beverage. Hy slop's Ceylon a 1 Indian Teas.—[Advt.j